Where it all began

2009 I was leaving sixth form, I had just completed my A Levels. I had no aspiration to continue to university like most of my friends did and I had no clue at all what I wanted to do.

I've always been interested in makeup and and anything beauty related but never really thought of it as a job. I started working in the local Iceland. Great first little job, and one of the collegeues had said to me that I would be a good beautician. I completely shrugged it off and thought no bloody way, is she serious, my shy face won't last a minute. Rich had been to college but left his course as he wasn't enjoying it. He went to work in Tesco but decided he wanted to go back to the college to try something different. There was an open day and Rich's mum had suggested that I have a look aswell at the beauty courses. She herself had just finished it and highly recommended it.

Before you knew it there I was, enrolled on a beauty therapy course. My amazing mum bought me the kit and uniform; I was good to go. I was rediculously nervous and about 1000 miles out of my comfort zone. Horrendous! But I muddled through and passed. The funny thing is I hated doing nails and for what follows you will be surprised.

2011 I applied for a job in Fenwick at Nails inc. Why? I don't know either. But it's got me where I am today, and you know that saying " Everything happens for a reason". Four lovely years I worked for Nails inc. I worked my self up to Assistant Manager, it was tough at times and so busy. The area managers where scary, targets where sky high and I was a horrendously shakey, nervous person. Not your ideal manicurist but I got by. People came and went but that beauty floor was always full of huge, predominantly female, personalities. I was always quiet and kept myself to myself. BUT, life is for learning, I was young then and I do have a lot to thank for this part of my career because it made me grow up and realise what this industry is about, the good, bad and the ugly.

I soon realised that working for my self and having my own business was something i would end up doing. I felt that I needed something new whilst I figured out what it was I wanted to do. 2015 I left nails Inc and went back to the college but as an employee this time, within the beauty department. I loved it alot and again I learnt a lot. I started my teaching, but deep down I knew it wasn't for me.

At the end of 2015 I fell pregnant with our twin girls Mia and Matilda. And that was it. Instantly I new this would be where I start my self employed journey. By the time they where 9 months I was dipping in to a new world of being my own boss and another passion of mine - Hair & Makeup. Instagram was not what it is today but it was getting there and is now the most useful piece of social media I use for my business.

Since building Beauty by Hannah, I have never looked back and i absolutely love how far I have come not only in confidence but my skill aswell. There's been ups and downs, long nights and back to back clients and not to mention the driving around. I love my job so much, both sides of it and to have been learning and working in this industry for 9 years absolutely baffles me. Only really the past year have i felt completely comfortable and settled - I love doing nails, I love my friends, my clients, the chat, the weddings, hair, makeup everything! I'm continuing to make some amazing friends even if they live so far away that popping round for a cuppa isn't really gonna work. I'm greatful for everyone who has taught me something in this industry and I will continue to learn and educate myself.

It's so hard to figure out what you want to do as a career and it's clear that many beauty therapists seems to just fall in to doing a job like this. It's creative and artistic which I never agreed I was, but I was always doodling at school and always painting my nails! Crazy eh!